She took a deep breath and wrapped her arms around me, clinging to me. “I don’t know if I can do this,” she whispered.
“Yes, you can,” I murmured into her hair. “Because you’re not alone. Not anymore.”
I felt her soften against me.
I felt her break.
And then rebuild.
Right in my arms.
She just needed a safe place to crumble so she could put herself back together again. Goldie was strong like that, and she knew it, even if she had her doubts at the moment.
“Let us help you,” I said. “Me. And Rhea. The whole damn town, if we have to.”
She nodded against my shoulder, fists gripping the fabric of my uniform like she needed an anchor. And I held her until the trembling stopped.
Rhea showedup at the station ten minutes early.
Because, of course she did.
I glanced up at her when I walked out of the heavy steel door to the parking lot and fought back a grin.
She looked like a badass, and she knew it. Her boots were planted, arms crossed, leather jacket over a graphic tee that readStop, drop and… try not to fall for me.Subtle wasn’t exactly her thing, but I was kind of a fan.
“You ready to go all Mission Impossible on Bakewell’s ass?” She asked, smirking as I juggled the folder of permits and half a dozen sticky notes I’d already started collecting on Sweet Cravings Café.
“I was thinking more CSI,” I said, “But sure, we’ll go withbudgetTom Cruise if it helps your ego.”
She laughed, one quick bark of a sound. “Wow. He jokes.”
I opened the passenger door to my patrol SUV and leaned my arm on the top of the window frame, “Don’t get used to it.”
She glanced at the opening and then back at me. “Don’t get used to what? You being nice enough to open my door, or the joking?”
“Joking.” I deadpanned, nodding for her to hurry up already, “I’m always a gentleman.”
“Bummer,” she teased as she got in, and I rolled my eyes as I shut the door behind her.
Getting behind the wheel, we headed off to the town records office, both of us oddly quiet as we crossed the village streets.
“Have you talked to Goldie?” I asked finally. Last night, when I left her at home, driving her there myself after her run-in with that slimeball at her bakery, I called Rhea.
It wasn’t a competition between us after all, and Goldie needed us both.
She nodded, “Yeah, she didn’t sleep much.”
“He really rattled her.”
“She’s strong,” she replied, as if that countered my statement somehow.
That made me glance over, “I know that.”
She met my gaze, “Good. Then don’t coddle her. That’s not what she needs.”
“What does she need then, oh wise one?” I raised one eyebrow at her before turning my attention back to the traffic light that had just turned green.
“She needs you to stand beside her.” Rhea replied, sighing as if it was painful to tell me. “She looks to you for grounding and protection, so be there to watch over her and lend her support, but don’t shield her from the world. She’s stronger than that.”
